Adjustment attachment for spirit levels



Sept 5, 1950 A. o. KRAussER 4 A2,521,525

ADJUSTMENT ATTACHMENT FOR SPIRIT LEVELS Filed May 23, 1947 Inventar Albert 0. Krausser www5/w Patented Sept. 5, 1 950 "UNITED, 'STATE-'sf -2,'521,52`5Q l I 'ADJUSTMENTTACHMENTFemSPIRIT j LEvELsl Albert *.Krausser,Washingtonpg, f ApplicationzMaylzs, 1947, serial No. 751)?,0111

1 Claim. l The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in spirit levels, and more particularly to an inclinometer attachment therefor to indicate the inclination or slope of a surface on which the level is placed.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an inclinometer attachment including -a-pivoted self-leveling foot adapted to rest on an inclined surface at one end of a level to support the level in a horizontal position, together with a feed screw for vertically adjusting the foot and a scale to indicate the degree of inclination of the surface on which the foot is resting.

A still further object is to provide an attachment of this character for spirit levels which may be easily and quickly mounted in position in the level and which, at the same time, is eicient and reliable in operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwisewell adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a spirit level equipped with the inclinometer attachment;

Figure 2 is a top plan view;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on a line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on a line 4-4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on a line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein, for the purpose of illustration, I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a spirit level of conventional construction and in which are mounted the horizontal and vertical spirit tubes 6 and 1, respectively.

One end of the body of the spirit level is formed with a vertical bore 8 over the upper end of which is secured ay plate 9 by screws or the like I0, the plate having a countersunk opening II (Cl. SSP-21.4,)

therein. The lower end of the bore 8 is counter- 2 the screw against vertical movement during rotation thereof.

A sleeve I1 is slidably mounted for vertical movement in the bore 8 and is formed with an internal screw-threaded upper portion I8 with which the screw I4 is threadedly engaged. A pin I9 extends transversely of the sleeve below the screw with the ends of the pin projecting outwardly from the sides of the sleeve and traveling in grooves 2|] formed in the body of the level at diametrically opposite sides of the bore 8 to prevent rotation of the sleeve.

A foot 2| in the form of a disk is provided with an upstanding stem 22 projecting into the lower end of the sleeve and pivoted thereto by a transverse pin 23.

In the operation of the device, the rotation of the screw I4 by a screwdriver or the like will feed the sleeve I1 vertically in the body of the level whereby to raise and lower the foot 2l to thus vertically adjust one end of the level to support the level in a horizontal position when placed on a sloping surface or object. The sleeve I1 is secured in its vertically adjusted position by a set screw 24 threaded through one side of the body of the level.

The body of the level, at its side thereof opposite from the set screw 24, is provided with a Window opening 25 having a marker or pointer 26 positioned therein and cooperating with a scale 21 marked on one side of the sleeve I1 to indicate the degree of adjustment of the level 5. VSliding movement of the sleeve I1 into the bore 8 is limited by engagement of the pin I9 by the lower end of the screw I4.

When the inclinometer attachment is not in use, the foot 2| may be retracted into the counterbore I 2 at the bottom of the level.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

An attachment forr spirit levels having a vertical bore in the body thereof and provided with vertical grooves at diametrically opposite sides thereof, a tube slidable vertically in the bore, interengaging means between the tube and said grooves to hold the tube against rotation, a feed screw threadedly engaged with the tube to vertically adjust the tube, means for holding the screw against vertical movement in the level, and a foot having a stem pivoted within the lower end of the tube, said interengaging means including a transverse pin carried by said tube and having end portions received in said vertical grooves, said pin being disposed below and perpendicular to said screw, said pin adapted toV be engaged by one end of said feed screw to limit movement of said tube in one direction, said means holding the screw against vertical Vmovement in said level including a plate carried by the body of the level, said plate having a countersunken opening aligning the bore, said feed 4 screw having a beveled head positioned in said opening for rotation, and a ange formed with said feed screw, spaced from said head and bearing against the inner surface of said plate.

ALBERT 0. KRAUSSER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date i 508,294 Famous Nov. 7, 1893 696,942 Chestnut Apr. 8, 1902 711,880 Ovens Oct. 21, 1902 1,899,131 Bedard Feb. 28, 1933 2,347,921 Miller May 2, 1944 2,373,641 Ackerson Apr. 17, V1945 

